theSource: October 2013 Issue

Yes, we know it isn’t even Hallowe’en yet – but if you haven’t organised your Christmas event, now’s the time.

Christmas is enjoying a post-recession comeback, as organisations realise you don’t need to break the bank to spread a bit of magic – and we have some tried-and-tested ideas to make your budget go further.

Meanwhile, if you’re planning a stand at a trade event, be sure to check our list of common mistakes which ruin many exhibitors’ chances of seeing a return on their investment.

And there’s also great, insider tips on a restaurant in Barcelona, fun and games in London, Eastern Europe’s hottest location… and how to hold a great Bond-themed event – without the cheese.

As ever, if you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please do call us on 0208 995 9495 or drop us a line.

The Outsourced Events team.

NEWS

Official: Christmas is BACK… but what if you still have a tight budget?

After a 42% dip during the recession, organisations are once again realising that Christmas presents a great chance to build loyalty, foster team spirit and show staff and clients how much they’re appreciated.

Just as importantly, they understand that parties don’t have to be expensive to be memorable and fun.

The secret to a magical Christmas party is making your guests feel really special – and as you’d expect, we have a few tricks up our sleeve to give you maximum sparkle for minimum cost…

We’ve just returned from the TM Forum Management World event in Nice, and it wasn’t hard to tell which exhibitors were

seeing a great return on their investment, and which weren’t. Exhibitions can be an expensive business, and many marketers seem to struggle to judge just how much support is enough to give their presence a fighting chance, without going overboard.

Thankfully, it’s not hard to get the basics right. Avoid these five killer mistakes, and you should be on the way to a good return on your budget.

Because the genre’s so famous, getting the details absolutely spot-on is essential to create just the right atmosphere, and delight your guests in a way that really stands out from the crowd. So when VCE asked us to transform their new, Grade II-listed London office into the Casino Royale, we went the extra mile: adding a few surprise touches – like molecular gastronomy canapés and dry-ice martinis – to make sure everybody was shaken and stirred.

Our entire organisation here at FAST constantly rave about the great work that we see from Outsourced Events. They anticipate our needs, are proactive, and their attention to detail is above reproach.

Jennifer Bodell
Marketing Communications Manager at FAST

October 2013 ISSUE

SPOTLIGHT ON

Restaurant of the Month

Cinc Sentits
Barcelona

A stunning restaurant that blends Michelin-starred quality with family-run character. Amazing regional produce, too: think line-caught fish from tiny Mediterranean villages, and organic beef from the Catalan Pyrenees. We recently booked the whole place for a corporate dinner, and owner-chef Jordi Artal personally introduced each course, explaining how they’d selected wines to match. Whether you need to impress clients or you’re visiting Barcelona for pleasure, the tasting menu is an absolute must.To find out more visit their website>>

Venue of the Month

Namco Funscape
County Hall
London

“And now for something completely different…” If you’re after a quirky, retro and above-all fun corporate event, this will hit the spot: dodgems, video games, a spy-themed laser maze – even a soundproof karaoke room, if that’s your guilty pleasure. Packages include hot finger buffet, drinks, and of course those all-important tokens for the games and bumper cars. We had our own team-building night here, and there really was something for everyone. . If you’re ready to act like a big kid, you’ll have an absolute blast.To find out more visit their website >>

Location of the Month

Budapest, Hungary

Still a relatively new location for business, Budapest is one of those places everyone’s talking about – so now’s the perfect moment to capitalise on the interest, before everybody’s been. It’s actually two cities – stately, historic Buda and the buzzy, artsy Pest are separated by the famous Danube river – but whichever half feels right to you, it’s a gorgeous city with great venues and hotels, and direct flights from major European and US cities. . It’s still authentic and unspoiled, too (just don’t wait too long…)For more information on Budapestvisit this website >>

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